Page:Plautus and Terence.djvu/117

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Da. (discovering Simo). Ha! my master there!

I had not seen him.

Si. (coming forward). Davus!

Da. (pretending not to have seen him before). Hey? what is it?

Si. Here, sirrah, come this way!

Da. (aside). What can he want?

Si. What say you?

Da. What about?

Si. D'ye ask me, sirrah?—

They say my son has a love affair?

Da. Good lack!

How folks will talk!

Si. D'ye mind me, sir, or no?

Da. I'm all attention.

Si. Well—to inquire too closely

Into the past were harsh—let bygones rest.

But now he must begin a different life;

New duties lie before him from this day:

And you—I charge you (changing his tone)—nay, indeed, good Davus,

I rather would intreat you, if I may,

Pray help to keep him straight.

Da. (affecting suprise.) Why—what's all this?

Si. Young men, you know, with such whims, do not care

To have a wife assigned them.

Da. (carelessly). So they say.

Si. Then—if a young man have a knavish tutor

Who trains him in such courses, why, the evil

Will grow from bad to worse.

Da. (looking stolid). Hercules help me!

I can't tell what you mean.

Si. (ironically). No—really?

Da. No;

I'm only Davus—I'm no Œdipus.

Si. You'd have me speak more plainly—is it so?